Hazel Pressy Morriss passes away

Vice President for Administration Anna Martin sent the following message to the campus community regarding the passing of Hazel Pressy Morriss. -Ed

It is with sadness that I must inform you of the passing of Hazel Pressy Morriss, 91, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. Hazel worked in Residence Life custodial services at the College for more than 40 years until she retired in 2008 at the age of 87.

Hazel was born August 14, 1920, the daughter of the late Emily Dandridge Pressy and the late Thomas Pressy, Sr. She was a descendant of Mulberry Island, now known as Fort Eustis, and Martha Dandridge Washington Plantation, Chestnut Grove, New Kent County. She attended Williamsburg-James City County Training School. She was licensed by the State of Virginia as a professional hairdresser.

Hazel was a founding member of Bethesda Christian Outreach Ministry. She also was a member of New Life Church under the Pastorship of the late Bishop Lawrence Lewis. She attended church faithfully until the age of eighty-eight, when her health began to fail.

A funeral service will be held tomorrow, Thursday, February 9, 2012, at 12:00 in Whiting’s Chapel at 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg. Pastor Gerald Hawkins of Shalom Full Gospel Church will be the Eulogist. Pastor James E. Mayo, Sr., of Mt. Carmel Pentecostal Church of Deliverance will also participate. Interment will follow in Williamsburg Memorial Park. Mrs. Morriss may be viewed only on Thursday morning beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the hour of her service.